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Living Nativity

by Amanda Beattie

At my church during Christmastime, the children's ministry puts on a display in the lobby -- a living Nativity. Half a dozen kids take turns each service standing in for the parts of the Holy Family and the other worshippers at Jesus' birth, complete with a manger and a baby doll to represent Jesus.

As I saw the kids huddled around the makeshift manger this year, wearing baggy costumes and crowns that weren't on quite straight, I couldn't help but smile. Yes, it was lovely and nostalgic to see them following in the tradition of the living Nativity but there was also something more, something deeper in that little gathering.

Telling the Story

I began to understand that God has called all of us to be a "Living Nativity" of sorts. Our ultimate destiny and highest calling is to draw near to His Son, and stand as a witness to the world about the joy of salvation.

When the kids at church are in the Living Nativity, nobody has to stop and ask them what they're doing. They just look and know the story. In the same way, as we stand in awe of Jesus, people will see us and know the story of His love. Think about it: just our being near to Him and gazing on His majesty is a witness to the world. When we, as believers, live in the wonder of the glory of our Savior -- our Messiah -- those around us will begin to understand the magnitude of God's love and splendor. Living with our gaze on Him transforms our very hearts and lives to reflect His greatness to the world.

What Child Is This?

So how do we live in that place of wonder of Jesus Christ? By learning how to know Him and seek Him. It really doesn't matter if you've been a Christian your entire life, or only a week or two. The joy of knowing God never has to get old. Pause for a moment and think about what really happened at Jesus' birth.

God became a man. We say it, we know it, but do we understand it? Do we really comprehend how God, the Holy One, eternal and uncreated, became flesh? It blows my mind to even try to think about it. The infinite God manifested Himself in finite flesh. God, as not just a human -- but a baby! A baby who would need to be fed and cared for. God, who is totally self-sufficient, became a helpless newborn. God, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, became a tiny child who could not yet walk or talk. And yet He was still God!

Equally amazing is the purpose behind His actions. Nobody forced Him to take on human flesh. He didn't come to earth out of a sense of obligation or guilt. Rather, out of an unfettered heart of love -- love that surpasses all human understanding -- He became a man. He was born to die, and then to live again, to redeem the world He loves. He chose to suffer the worst of injustices, dying as an innocent man, in order to save us.

What kind of love is that? Only the unshakable, incomparable love of the Most Holy God. We can never marvel at this too much!

O Come Let Us Adore Him

God is calling us to that place of adoration, where loving Him and worshipping Him becomes our highest priority. It is from that place of joy in the wonder of His goodness that we can most effectively communicate the amazing love of Christ to the world. Are you ready to join the "Living Nativity?" All it takes is a willing spirit, a softened heart, and a readiness to stand in awe.

Life Applications:

Have you taken time recently to remember the amazing power and grace of God?
What grips your heart most about the love of Christ?
Are you ready to answer the call to be in the "Living Nativity?"

Copyright 2003 by Amanda Beattie
All rights reserved.